Genetic divergence within the monotypic tree genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platycarya</Emphasis> (Juglandaceae) and its implications for species’ past dynamics in subtropical China

Subtropical East Asia harbours a large plant diversity that is often attributed to allopatric speciation in this topographically complex region characterized by a relative climate stability. Here, we use observations of Platycarya, a widespread subtropical Asian tree genus, to explore the consequences of past climate stability on species’ evolutionary history in subtropical China. This genus has a controversial taxonomy: while it is now prevailingly treated as monotypic, two species have been originally described, Platycarya strobilacea and P. longipes. Previous information from species distribution models, fossil pollen data and genetic data based on chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) were integrated with newly obtained genetic data from the two putative species. We used both cpDNA (psbA-trnH and trnL-F intergenic spacers, including a partial trnL gene sequence) and nuclear markers. The latter included sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA and random genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms. Using these nuclear genetic markers, we found interspecific genetic divergence fitting with the ‘two species’ scenario and geographically structured intraspecific variation. Using cpDNA markers, we also found geographically structured intraspecific variation. Despite deep inter- and intraspecific genetic divergence, we detected genetic admixture in southwest China. Overall, our findings of genetic divergence within Platycarya support the hypothesis of allopatric speciation. However, episodes of population interconnection were identified, at least in southwest China, suggesting that the genus has had a dynamic population history.     

Pulmonary type II cell hypertrophy and pulmonary lipoproteinosis are features of chronic IL-13 exposure

Interleukin (IL)-13, a key mediator of Th2-mediated immunity, contributes to the pathogenesis of asthma and other pulmonary diseases via its ability to generate fibrosis, mucus metaplasia, eosinophilic inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness. In these studies, we compared surfactant accumulation in wild-type mice and mice in which IL-13 was overexpressed in the lung. When compared with littermate controls, transgenic animals showed alveolar type II cell hypertrophy under light and electron microscopy. Over time, their alveoli also filled with surfactant in a pulmonary alveolar proteinosis pattern. At the same time, prominent interstitial fibrosis occurs. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from these mice had a three- to sixfold increase in surfactant phospholipids. Surfactant proteins (SP)-A, -B, and -C showed two- to threefold increases, whereas SP-D increased 70-fold. These results indicate that IL-13 is a potent stimulator of surfactant phospholipid and surfactant accumulation in the lung. IL-13 may therefore play a central role in the broad range of chronic pulmonary conditions in which fibrosis, type II cell hypertrophy, and surfactant accumulation occur.     

Rhizobium qilianshanense sp. nov., a novel species isolated from root nodule of Oxytropis ochrocephala Bunge in China

During a study of the diversity and phylogeny of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of Oxytropis ochrocephala grown in the northwest of China, four strains were classified in the genus Rhizobium on the basis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences. These strains have identical 16S rRNA gene sequences, which showed a mean similarity of 94.4 % with the most closely related species, Rhizobium oryzae. Analysis of recA and glnA sequences showed that these strains have less than 88.1 and 88.7 % similarity with the defined species of Rhizobium, respectively. The genetic diversity revealed by ERIC-PCR fingerprinting indicated that the isolates correspond to different strains. Strain CCNWQLS01^T contains Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. The major fatty acids were identified as feature 8 (C18: 1ω7c and/or C18: 1ω6c; 67.2 %). Therefore, a novel species Rhizobium qilianshanense sp. nov. is proposed, and CCNWQLS01^T (= ACCC 05747^T = JCM 18337^T) is designated as the type strain.     

Synthesis of novel D-ring fused 7'-aryl-androstano[17,16-d][1,2,4] triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

The preparation of novel steroidal heterocycles containing the 7-aryl-substituted 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine moiety fused to the 16,17-positions of the steroid nucleus is described. The Aldol reaction of 4-aza-androst-3,17-dione (1a) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 1b) with aromatic aldehydes was catalyzed by KF/Al(2)O(3) to give the corresponding 3-oxo-4-aza-5α- and 3β-hydroxy-5-en-16-arylidene-17-ketosteroids (2a-r). Subsequently, the intermediates 2a-r reacted with dinucleophilic 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole in presence of t-BuOK to afford the title compounds (3a-r). All the synthesized heterosteroids are new and are currently being evaluated for their biological activities.     

Association between APOC1 Polymorphism and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case-Control Study and Meta-Analysis

Background

Previous association studies examining the relationship between the APOC1 polymorphism and susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have shown conflicting results, and it is not clear if an APOC1 variant acts as a genetic risk factor in AD etiology across multiple populations.

Methods

To confirm the risk association between APOC1 and AD, we designed a case-control study and also performed a meta-analysis of previously published studies.

Results

Seventy-nine patients with AD and one hundred fifty-six unrelated controls were included in case-control study. No association was found between the variation of APOC1 and AD in stage 1 of our study. However, our meta-analysis pooled a total of 2092 AD patients and 2685 controls. The APOC1 rs11568822 polymorphism was associated with increased AD risk in Caucasians, Asians and Caribbean Hispanics, but not in African Americans. APOE ε4 carriers harboring the APOC1 insertion allele, were more prevalent in AD patients than controls (χ² = 119.46, OR = 2.79, 95% CI = 2.31–3.36, P<0.01).

Conclusions

The APOC1 insertion allele, in combination with APOE ε4, likely serves as a potential risk factor for developing AD.     

Effects of Different Sources and Levels of Copper on Growth Performance,Nutrient Digestibility,and Elemental Balance in Young Female Mink (Mustela vison)

An experiment was conducted in a 3?×?3?+?1 factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of different sources of copper on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and elemental balance in young female mink on a corn–fishmeal-based diet. Animals in the control group were fed a basal diet (containing 8.05 mg Cu/kg DM; control), which mainly consisted of corn, fish meal, meat bone meal, and soybean oil, with no copper supplementation. Minks in other nine treatments were fed basal diets supplemented with Cu from reagent-grade copper sulfate, tribasic copper chloride (TBCC) and copper methionate. Cu concentrations of experiment diets were 10, 25, and 40 mg/kg copper. A metabolism trial of 4 days was conducted during the last week of experimental feeding. Final body weight and average daily gain increased (linear and quadratic, P?<?0.05) as Cu increased in the diet; maximal growth was seen in the Cu25 group. Cu supplementation slightly improved the feed conversion rate (P?=?0.095). Apparent fat digestibility was increased by copper level (P?=?0.020). Retention nitrogen was increased by copper level (linear, P?=?0.003). Copper source had a significant effect on copper retention with Cu-Met and copper sulfate treatments retention more than TBCC treatments (P?<?0.05). Our results indicate that mink can efficiently utilize added dietary fat and that Cu plays an important role in the digestion of dietary fat in mink, and mink can efficiently utilize Cu-Met and CuSO₄.     

Coexistence of Anhedonia and anxiety-independent increased novelty-seeking behavior in the chronic mild stress model of depression

Previous research demonstrated excessive decreases in reward sensitivity and increases in harm avoidance in depressed individuals. These results straightly lead to a hypothesis that depressed patients should avoid novelty or express reduced novelty-seeking behavior. Nevertheless, literature in this regard is inconsistent. Furthermore, whether the potentially altered novelty-associated behavior is dependent on changed anxiety/fear or related to altered goal-directed approaching tendency is unclear. Here, we tested novel object-approaching behavior in a free-exploration paradigm in chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced anhedonic and stress-resistant rats respectively. Other CMS-induced, emotional behaviors were also examined in a battery of behavioral tests including novel cage, exploration, locomotor activity and elevated plus maze (EPM). We found that compared with controls, stress-resistant rats who consistently showed lower anxiety level in EPM (time in open arms) and, open-field (OF) test (time in central area) showed no sign of enhanced novel object approaching behavior. To the contrary, the anhedonic ones who did not express any sign of reduced anxiety showed paradoxically intensified novelty-approaching behavior. We concluded that reduced anxiety would not necessarily lead to enhanced novelty-seeking behavior; anhedonia coexists with anxiety-independent, increased novelty-seeking behavior. The salient paradox of coexistence of anhedonia and increased novelty-seeking behavior was critically discussed.     

Identification of a Novel Universal Potential Epitope on the Cytoplasmic Tail of H7N9 Virus Hemagglutinin

<正>Dear Editor,H7 N9 is a recently identified subtype of influenza A virus that caused a major outbreak in humans in China in 2013.According to the latest data provided by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention(http://www.moh.gov.cn/zwgk/yqbb3/ejlist.shtml, updated on October 31, 2018),the mortality rate of H7 N9 infections in China amounts to